Ottawa, ON (October 18, 2017) – This Friday, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley will be presented, in Calgary, with Equal Voice's 2017 National EVE Award honouring her work to advance women in political life.

“Premier Notley continues to inspire women with her leadership of one of Canada’s most powerful provinces, and for her commitment to ensuring that strong and diverse women are at the table along with her.”

In addition to celebrating Premier Notley’s work on behalf of women, the event will include remarks by distinguished guests including the Rt. Hon Kim Campbell, Canada’s first and only female Prime Minister, and the Hon. Stephanie McLean, Minister of Services Alberta and Status of Women.

“Nearly 25 years since leaving office, I am struck by the fact that we still have such a long way to go to achieve gender parity in politics. Premier Notley is breaking new ground for generations of Albertans to come,” remarks Ms. Campbell, Canada’s 19 th Prime Minister, who now serves as Founding Principal of the Peter Lougheed Leadership College at the University of Alberta.

The EVE Award is presented annually to a woman who has achieved significant success in her political career. The 2017 event in Calgary takes place on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017.

“Equal Voice works across party lines to recognize and support the improved governance outcomes that emerge when you engage far more women in the political process,” Equal Voice Calgary Chair Lisa Skierka underscores. “We are united in our conviction that governments, at all levels, must be more representative of the populations they serve.”

In fact, Alberta’s female MLAs comprise 33 percent of its provincial legislature, placing Alberta third in the country for its representation of women. Premier Notley made history in the spring of 2015 by becoming only the second Premier in Canada to ever appoint a gender parity cabinet, and the first to do so while leading a majority government.

“As we have seen in the municipal elections this week, to elect more women, far more need to be on the ballot," emphasizes Equal Voice Alberta North Chair Lana Cuthbertson. “Gender balance will not happen without concerted action and commitment. Premier Notley has, without a doubt, raised the bar.”